Military-Connected Youth January Bulletin
Dear Military Family Liaisons,
Happy New Year! I hope all of you had a happy holiday season. Outside of the summer season, December and January are peak months for military moves. Please reach out with any questions about how to support these students through provisions for active duty enrollment or the Interstate Compact. I wish you all peace and prosperity in the new year.
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Purple Star Program Highlight - Anthony Wayne Junior High School, Anthony Wayne Local Schools
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Military families are an important part of the Anthony Wayne Local Schools community. Christine Young, a teacher and military family liaison at Anthony Wayne Junior High School, is dedicated to serving these families. She emphasizes the unique experiences of military-connected students, noting that “Military kids and families face challenges that the average person cannot imagine, and they do so with strength and patience. They deserve to be recognized and supported.” In addition to her work within the district, Christine serves on the Ohio Council of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission and the statewide Purple Star Advisory Board.
Located in Northwest Ohio near the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio National Guard, Anthony Wayne Local offers a variety of programs to support their Purple Star students, including military appreciation nights, family bingo events, and a military signing ceremony. Along with coordinating these large-scale events, Christine maintains a strong focus on building personal connections with her military families and students. She explains, “You need to meet with your military kids, either in person or online, on a regular basis. Let them know you care, and you are there for them. Communicate with families frequently. Send emails about upcoming events, share opportunities and information from military organizations, and check in regularly.”
If you would like to share a Purple Star best practice in this newsletter, submit this form.
Purple Star Schools Application Window Closed
Thank you to the new and renewing schools that applied for the Purple Star designation. The application window closed on Dec. 15, 2025 and applications are currently under review. Applicants will be notified via email on Jan. 15 if remediation is required. Purple Star Awards will be announced in April, the Month of the Military Child.
Purple Star National Convening Recording Available
The 4th annual Purple Star USA National Convening of Schools and Communities was held on Oct. 28, 2025. Presenter information, slide decks, and recordings of the presentations are now available. The webpage also contains records of sessions from the first three years of the event. Many of the presenters are from Purple Star schools in Ohio. Attending the event or watching the sessions can be used to meet professional development requirements for the Purple Star designation.
Military Signing Day Save the Date
On Tuesday, March 10, the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce, in partnership with schools and communities, will host Military Signing Day for Ohio's students committed to military service. Students in grades 11 and 12 who have committed to military service are invited to attend. This includes Ohio students who:
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Will attend a service academy in the fall;
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Accepted a Reserve Officer Training Corp (ROTC) scholarship; or
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Enlisted for service as active duty, reserve, or National Guard.
Each student will receive a certificate and a cord to wear at graduation.
This year’s celebration will take place at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, 300 W. Broad Street, Columbus. Doors open at 10:00 a.m. for check-in and museum access, and the program will begin promptly at 11:00 a.m. Registration is required for all attendees and guests. Students will include their guest’s information as part of their registration. Attendees can view the museum’s exhibits prior to and at the conclusion of the ceremony. Registration will close on Friday, February 27, or earlier if seating is full. Registration and parking are free.
Ohio Military Signing Day will feature Ohio-based speakers who are leaders in the military, education, and workforce development fields. This year’s event will also feature a student speaker who will share their reasons for serving. Those interested in speaking should submit a copy of their remarks (no more than five minutes in length) with a biography noting the high school of attendance and branch of service to PurpleStar@education.ohio.gov by Feb. 23. The speaker will be notified of their selection via email.
The Ohio Department of Education and Workforce is committed to providing access and inclusion and reasonable accommodation in its services, activities, programs, and employment opportunities in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and other applicable laws. To request a reasonable accommodation due to a disability, please contact Katie Barnes, ADA coordinator, at ADAaccommodation@education.ohio.gov or 614-387-7716 (voice) no later than March 2, 2026. Requests submitted less than 72 hours before the meeting/event may not be able to be accommodated, though DEW will make every effort to provide accommodations if possible.
Family Resources
Wright-Patterson AFB School Liaison Office
The School Liaison Office is the central point of contact for commanders, military families, and local school systems on school-related matters for grades K-12. School Liaison services are open to all military families in Ohio.
United Service Organization
Blue Star Families of Dayton and Southwestern Ohio
Blue Star Families has a chapter that serves Dayton and Southwest Ohio. The Ohio chapter hosts events and is committed to strengthening military and veteran families.
Ohio Military Kids
Ohio Military Kids provides positive development experiences for youth whose parents are deployed in military service, as well as opportunities for military-connected youth to connect, learn, and have fun. Contact omk@osu.edu with any questions.
Ohio Military Veteran Educators Program
Additional Resources for Liaisons
Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children
Ohio Council of the Military Interstate Children’s Compact Commission (MIC3)
The Ohio MIC3 Council assists with the implementation of the Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children in Ohio. The council also hosts the Janet Wynn Memorial Award. The award honors an Ohio military family or school-aged youth that has displayed exceptional perseverance, grit, and determination throughout a move or transition between school districts.
Ohio Department of Veterans Services
The Department of Veterans Services provides a printable poster that highlights services for Ohio’s veterans.
Important Dates
Military Education Coordinator
Office of Whole Child Supports
25 South Front St., 3rd Floor
Toll-free: 877.644.6338 D: 614.466.4109
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